Practice 6th Grade Math for Free on Duolingo

A guide to 6th grade math topics

See how Duolingo is easing 6th graders into a new year of math!

In 6th grade math, your learner will take their first steps into topics like algebra, geometry, and statistics. They’ll be mastering familiar topics while exploring new ones, so getting a solid foothold now will help them stay sharp through the rest of middle school.

Duolingo Math gives your 6th grader a supportive space to practice the essential skills they’ve already learned while building a strong understanding of new topics. Here’s a quick peek at everything your learner will cover in Duolingo’s 6th grade course!

In this post:

Becoming an expert in fractions and decimals

In 6th grade, students finally master fractions and decimals before they move on to other rational numbers in grades to come. They’ll practice using standard rules to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all kinds of fractions, decimals, and whole numbers with ease.

In the Duolingo units Fraction division, Operations with decimals, Multiplication patterns, and Multi-digit division, learners will practice:

Dividing fractions by other fractions using visual models
Adding and subtracting multi-digit decimals and unlike fractions
Multiplying and dividing multi-digit decimals, fractions, and whole numbers
Identifying patterns in multiplication and using them to quickly complete operations

Powering up with exponents

6th graders also build on their understanding of exponents by working with larger powers to see how numbers can grow very quickly. They’ll put these skills into practice by applying the order of operations to evaluate exponent expressions.

In the Duolingo units Exponents and Exponent operations, learners will work on:

Using order of operations to solve problems with exponents and/or parentheses
Adding and subtracting multiple powers of the same base
Adding and subtracting different bases raised to the power of 2, 3, or 4

Getting to know ratios

6th grade students explore how two different numbers can relate to each other when compared in a ratio. They’ll start to understand how ratios are related to division and multiplication, paving the way for real-life problem solving.

In the Duolingo units Intro to ratios, Equivalent ratios, Parts of wholes, and Ratio relationships, learners will study:

Using specific ratio language to describe the relationship between two values
Completing tables of equivalent ratios to find missing numbers
Solving multiplication or division problems using ratios
Solving ratio problems by using tape diagrams, number lines, and other visual tools

Digging deeper into rates and percentages

In 6th grade, learners start to expand their understanding of rates and percentages. They’ll convert between different units, and they’ll apply new concepts to solving practical problems about everyday topics like travel or shopping.

In the Duolingo units Percents, Rates and equivalent rates, and Unit rates, learners will work on:

Finding a percentage as a rate per 100
Multiplying rates and percentages by whole numbers
Converting measurement units by using ratio reasoning
Solving unit rate problems involving unit pricing and constant speed
Solving problems that involve finding the whole when given a part and a percent

Discovering the world of algebra

Your 6th grader will begin their algebraic journey by learning to use variables as stand-ins for unknown numbers. They’ll start working with simple equations and inequalities, and learn that “solving an equation” just means finding the number that makes an equation true.

In the Duolingo units Algebraic expressions, Distributive property and equivalency, One-variable equations, and Inequalities, learners will practice:

Reading and writing expressions where letters stand for numbers
Applying the distributive property to find equivalent expressions
Solving one-step equations and inequalities
Using variable expressions to represent real-life scenarios

Exploring negative numbers, factors, and multiples

In the 6th grade, learners explore our number system by discovering negative numbers, factors, and multiples. They’ll start doing operations with negatives, discover absolute value, and calculate the factors and multiples of different numbers.

In the Duolingo units Negative numbers, Absolute value, Greatest common factor, and Least common multiple, learners will dive into:

Using negative numbers to describe real-life scenarios
Understanding absolute value as a number’s distance from zero
Comparing, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing negative numbers
Calculating the greatest common factor and least common multiple of whole numbers

Connecting shapes and the coordinate plane

6th grade math brings familiar geometric shapes to the coordinate plane. Students will learn new ideas about shapes’ properties by exploring how to draw points, lines, and polygons on a graph.

In the Duolingo units Coordinate plane, Find distance, Find side lengths, Polygon area, and Translations, learners will practice:

Graphing points in all four quadrants of the coordinate plane using ordered pairs
Translating points, line segments, and figures by adjusting ordered pairs
Calculating the distance between points with the same x or y coordinate
Identifying the length of line segments and the side lengths of polygons
Finding the area of triangles and quadrilaterals plotted on the coordinate plane

Duolingo Math helps your 6th grader build new skills

Your 6th grader will have a blast with Duolingo Math’s fun, interactive exercises, all while building the skills and confidence they’ll need to carry them through the rest of middle school math and beyond.